Gai Byrne

Gai has been actively involved in Community Theatre for 50 years, commencing with the Regent Theatre Group in Melbourne in 1973. She trained in voice production and contemporary jazz ballet culminating in appearances on Channel Nine “New Faces”, and has played leading and supporting roles including MY FAIR LADY, HELLO, DOLLY!, CAMELOT, PETER PAN & TOAST OF THE TOWN, and also as choreographer and principal dancer. Gai has devised and directed MOONLIGHT SERENADE, I REMEMBER YOU, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY (a tribute to Doris Day) and WE WILL REMEMBER THEM, an ANZAC day memorial show. She also trained as a professional makeup artist, specialising in ageing makeup for theatre. For over the last fifteen years, Gai has sat on various executive committees for theatre companies, and has appeared on TV and feature films MYSTERY ROAD, SILENT PREDATOR, MENTAL & YOUNG ROCK II and various TVC’s. Before becoming a judge, Gai was the recipient of the Gold Palm Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2020 for AURELIA and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2022 for CRIMES OF THE HEART. Trained in the Meisner method under Tom McSweeney, her passion is nurturing the up-and- coming young talent on the Gold Coast.